Automobile lock



July 19, 1932. Y o. sfHL-:RsHEY AUTOMOBILE Loox 'Original Filed Sept. 26. 1927.

Patented' July 19, 1932 incasso? UNITED srArEs PATENr oFElcE ORVILLE S. HERSHEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS., ASSIGNOR, vIBY MESNE ASSIGNMETS, '.LOv CAKE-S PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN AUTOMOBILE LOCK Application led September 2G, 1927, Serial No. 221,871. Renewed January 15, 1932.

This invention relates to a coincidental lock adapted for automobiles generally and is designed particularly for association with one of the operating units thereof. It may be connected with a steering mechanism, a change speed mechanism, a motor ignition circuit, or any other unit or system whose operation is required in the use of a motor vehicle.

rThe embodiment of my invention herein disclosed includes a. switch which may be interposed in the motor ignition circuit. Such a switch is designed to be opened, thereby rendering the motor inoperative, whenever the lock is operated to interfere with use of an associated mechanism.

The present invention is concerned with certain improved features inthe connection between the lock and switch by which the latter may be opened or closed independently of any lock operation; it provides also for a two-stage operation in which actuation of the switch must precede movement of the lock, or vice-versa. This successive operation is effected through double control means requiring separate manipulation `before both stages of operation can be completed. My invention is concerned also with an improved switch mechanism which is associated with the lock, and with the arrangement of certain conductors extending from the switch to a remote pointfor connection with binding posts which are located accessibly in a desired position.

Objects such as these, as well as others which will hereinafter appear, are set forth in the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated a suggestive construction in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a steering column with which is associated the present lock and switch, both of which appear in section;

Fig. 2 which is an end elevation of the lock exhibits in transverse section the switch which is associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view ofthe switch housing shown in relation to the steering column which appears in transverse section;

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of one of the conductor bars which. connectsY with the switch;

Fig. 5 `is afview in elevation of the switch housing looking toward the side thereof which is proximate to the steering column;

Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the slide assembly forming part of the switch; I Fig. 7 is a top plan-view of the switch slide and housing 'in which the same is mounted;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the switch taken on line .8-8 of Fig. 7 and F ig. 9 isa view of the'switch guide plate per se.

The present lock may be contained within ,a casing A which, in the form shown, is provided With a collar 10 adapted to -surround a steering column B.l Extending within the column is the usual post C for connecting thev steering wheel with the swiveled running wheels at the front of the vehicle. Secured fast to the post C is a bushing D wherein is a groove or socket 11 which may be brought into register with a corresponding opening formed in the column. Extending laterally from the lock casing is an arm lforming a bracket for connection with a dash or instrument board, or other fixed part of the vehicle, whereby to provide a support for the column.

Within the lock casing is a cylindrical apers ture wherein is mounted a hollow plun er 15 equippedat its outer end with a lateral y extending handle lsforming an operating lever by which oscillatory movements may be performed. Within the plunger is slidingly received a locking bolt 17 flattened at one side to provide a recess having at one end a stop shoulder with which may engage a plate 18 carried by the plunger. By this means I limit the movement of the bolt outwardly from the plunger. A compression spring 19 within the plunger bears W1th pressure against one end l of the` bolt so as to project the same yieldingly to locking position. Reciprocatory movements of the plunger are controlled by a lock cylinder 20 opera specially designed't-herefor. The cyllnder 1s disposed with its axis transverse to that of the plunger, and carries upon its rear or 1nner end an eccentric 22 slidably disposed withle with a key 21 which is dicator in the form of a double walled disk 24 slidable within a guideway 25 which is disposed across the 'face of the lock casing, as shown in Fig l. rlllirough' an aperture 26 in the guideway appropriate characters carried on the disk are exposed to View. This disk is shifted within the guideway in response to movements ot the plunger by means of a laterally extending pin 27 which enga es slidably within an oblique slot forme in one wall of the disk. By this construction 'the disk is caused to shift its position within the guideway whenever the plunger is reciprovu cated or oscillated.

As part ot the bolt assembly ll provide also a second pin 28 which may be extended laterally from the plunger in a direction which is opposite to that yot the pin 27., 'llhis latter pin 28 accordingly projects toward the rear or under side ot the lock casing where l have provided a slot 29 extending through the -wall thereoi2 in parallelism with the airis ot 'the plunger. lhis slot is open at the end adjacent the control lever l@ to allow entrance of the pin 23 when the plunger is assembled within the lock casing. Any suitable means may bev employed :tor yieldingly holding the plunger in a selected rotative position while,A

executing a reciprocatory movement.

|The lock structure just described, .in its principal aspects at least, has heretofore been lrnowii. lt is here shown and'described in detail tor a better understanding oit its coopera tion with a switch mechanism which is adapted tor association therewith, and, in a measure, Ifor controlling the operation thereot. lhe details ot this switch construction will now be described.

As shown, ll have provided .a housing of insulated material which may conveniently be 'formed in a die moulding, the housingheing designed for the reception ci the switch parts and also of certain conductors leading therefrom to binding posts which are located ata remote point. el switch chamber-30 is provided atlone end of the housing which is attachable to the lock casing with the aid ot screws (not shown) which extend through i rlFhe switch may ac3.

one or moreholes 3l. y cordingly he pitioned relative to the steer'- ing column upon the same side thereof as are.

the operating parts of the lock mechanism alre'adr describedfpreiferably to the right as viewe 'by the operator. The switchhousing is formed with a lateraleiitension 32 which a shallow recess 34 forming a seat or a guide plate 35 through which is formed anL-slot having longitudinal and transverse branches 36 and 37, respectively. When the switch housing is secured in place, this guide plate is immovably conined in place.

The switch herein shown is designed to opcrate with a. three-wire system. ltincludes three stationary contacts, each formed by a stud 38 and each having an exposed socketed end 39 substantially flush withthe sunken face of the switch chamber. Each stud carries a pair of spaced flanges 40 between which is received the forked end of a conductor bar il which leads to one of the binding posts 33 at the tar end of the switch arm 32. W7 ith each conductor bar l associate an insulating strip l2 having its ends forked for connection with the associated stud 38 and binding post 33. By this arrangement, which provides for a `strip oi' insulating material between each ot the conductor bars, the connections so leading from the fixed contacts to the binding posts may be disposed contiguously in which relation they are maintained within the moulding forming the switch housing.

The three lined contacts of the switch are arranged by preference in triangular' formation, two being adjacent one end wall at the chamber 30 and the third adjacent the opposite end wall thereof. Mounted to reciprocate between these two walls oi the housing is a slide F which may be advantageously formed ot two parts, viz., an insulating block i3 vand a A conductor plate 44 having three buttons` l5 corresponding in positions to the tired contacts and projecting toward the same. The plate may also be formed with certain upstanding lugs 4&6, three being a sugc gested number, each adapted to enter a groove l l providei7 extending transversely of the block 43 whereby to center the one movably with respect to the other. 'Between the block and plate are located coiled springs 48, one prefer- -1 i ably in line with each button 45, each spring being accommodated in part within a recess which is formed in the block. The slide so constructed is adapted to be confined in place between the sunken tace of the switch chamber and the guide plate 35 where it may reciprocate to either of two positions. By providing at one end of the guide plate an upstanding ilange e9, the opening at the end of the casing slot 29 is effectively closed ln the outer tace of the slide block, l pro vide an elongated slot 50 which extends through to one end thereof. ln this slot is received the projecting end of the pin 28 15. This pin which is required to pass through the L-slot in the plate is guided thereby in all of its movements. When the plunger is in the out position, it may be oscillated due to the fact that the pin 28 is aligned with the transverse branch 37 of'this slot. Such a movement will cause the slide to be shifted from one end of the switch chamber to the other. In one of these positions the three buttons will establish contact` with the three studs 38 so as to form a common electrical connection therebetween. When so related, the buttons are spring-pressed into the sockets at the exposed ends 39 of thesestuds so as to be yieldingly retained in this position.

By oscillating thev plunger l5, the slidemay be moved to the other extreme position where each of the three buttons 45 is removed from contact with the associated studs. In such a case the circuit is broken between all three wires of the electrical circuit. In this latter position the pin 28 lies in the corner formed by the juncture ofthe slot branches 36 and 37, permitting the plunger then to advance freely by a straight line movement. When the plunger is so moved to an inward position, the pin 28 slides idly within the slot 5G without disturbing the position of the switch. The switch is accordingly incapable of being operated to closed position when the bolt 17 is advanced into locking position relative to the steering post C. `It is only when the bolt is completely disengaged from the post by a full retraction of the plunger that the latter can Ibe oscillated to operate the switch to either open or closed position.

The present switch is advantageous .in numerous respects.

bled, and'will not wear out over a prolonged period of service. The conductor bars which lead from the switch to a remote point are completely housed in and insulated from each other. In the construction of the switch housing, these several bars which are preliminarily formed to the exact shape desired, are

f arranged contiguously without danger of short circuiting due to the provision of the insulating strips which separate them properly for this purpose. l .f

I claim: l V. 4

1. In combination with a movable element, a lock mechanism therefor having a part which is mounted for both oscillatory and reciprocatory movements, a switch in which is a movable element having a slot and means vextending from said part into theslot of the movable switch" element adapted to impart motion to the latter only when the said part executes one of its movements, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a movable element, a lock mechanism therefor in which 1s or oscillation,

comprised a part adaptedfor reciprocation a switch associated therewith The parts which enter into its construction are simple and easily assemhaving a movable element, and means connected fast with one and slidingly with the other adapted to transmit motion to the ment, a lock mechanism therefor in which is comprised a part adapted for oscillation and reciprocation, a switch associated therewith having a movable element, a connection between said part and switch element having a sliding engagement with the latter, and guiding means for said connection adapted to direct the movements of said part, the switch element being shifted in response to but one of the movements of said part, substantially as described.

4. A lock mechanism with which is associated a housing wherein is a switch having fixed contacts in connection with an electrical circuit, the housing being formed with an extension, binding posts carried by the extension at a point remote from the switch, and conductor bars connecting the posts with the lixed contacts of the switch, the conductor bars being disposed within the housing extension contiguously with intervening strips of insulation, substantially as described.

5. In a coincidental lock, the combination of an automotive control lock mechanism including a bolt mounted for at least two movements, in one of which the control is locked, an electrical switch mechanism associated therewith and having a movable element, and means movable with the bolt and slidably engaging the movable element of said switch without causing movement thereof during one movement of the bolt, said means being adapted to transmit motion to said movable element when said bolt executes another movement. n.

6. Incombination with a-movable element, a lock mechanism therefor including a part having a locking movement and another movement, an associated electrical switch in which is comprised a mounting for fixed contacts and a slotted movable contact, anda pin extending from said part into the slot of vthe movable contact, said pin and slot connection permitting locking movement of said part independently of movement of said movable contact and adapted to shift the latter relative to the fixed contacts when said part executes its other movement.

7 In combination with a movable element, a lock mechanism therefor including a part having a dual movement and having a connecting means extending laterally therefrom, and a switch having a slotted operating element wherein said connection slides without moving said element when said part is 'ven one of its movements, saidconnection eing operative to move the switch element when said part is given its other movement, a circuit, and fixed contacts controlled by said v lll@ switch element during such other movement of said part to open or close said circuit.

8. In combination With a movable element, a lock mechanism therefor including a 5 part having a, lockingmovement and another movement, an associated electrical switch in which is comprised e mounting-for ixed contacts and a movable Contact? and pin an slot connection between said part and said mov- E0 able contact, said pin and slot connection permitting iocking movement of seid part independently of movement of said moveoie contact and adapted to cause shifting of the movable contact reietive to the xeoi contacts 'i5 when said part executes its other movement.,

9. .in combination with e, movahie eiement5 a, lock mechanism therefor inciuing locking hoitooiapted. for reciprocatory and or oscillatory movement, an associated eiectricei 20 switch in which is comprised moimting for xed contacts ond e moveioie contacta means lrestrziining seid movable contact against movement except in e direction tremeveseiy of the axis of seid ioeiiiiig boit, means iocic 25 ing seid boit against osciiiotoiymovement except when it is iii unico?? W: posici n? and e, connection between seid h chie c iii-tact opeieoie to Y conte-ct only when 'seid s 

